Page 33 of Forever Bite

“You cannot have this baby,” her father said, matter-of-factly as if it was already decided. “Now that you’re here, we can get all of this sorted out.”

Reika stared at him in complete shock. He was talking about the life growing inside her as if it was a pile of dirty laundry.

“You can’t be serious!” Reika cried, wishing her voice was stronger. Owen gripped her hand tightly, growling under his breath. Reika was pleased that he hadn’t erupted in anger … he must be having a terrible time controlling himself.

“Here we are,” Holo said, arriving back at her bedside with an innocent, happy smile. Clearly, she didn’t know she’d just walked straight into a firing line.

“I have a sheet drawn up with a proper diet and supplements,” Holo said. “This is why you’ve been so sick. Shifter metabolisms require much more protein and nutrients anyway, but while you're pregnant, the need can triple. You must be carrying a very strong baby, Reika. It obviously needs a lot of food.”

Holo’s smile began to die on her face as she finally took in the mood of the room.

“None of that will be necessary,” Reika’s father snapped. “Completing this pregnancy is impossible. It will only create more trouble between the packs, maybe even war.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Reika cried. “It will do the opposite. New life, brought about by pack rivals, is a true blending of both. This is good news, Father.”

Reika’s heart fell as both of her parents looked at her with hard eyes. She was not going to get through to them. They had made up their minds.

Reika felt hollow and frightened as she looked into their faces. She had always loved and trusted her parents, even when they had disagreed. For the first time, she was seeing them for what they truly were. They didn’t give a damn about her happiness. They would destroy the life growing within her and keep her from her mate for their own pride.

Reika hadn’t noticed, but the machines monitoring her vitals had begun to screech and beep. Holo sent Reika’s parents out of the room, telling them no matter what was decided, Reika could not handle this amount of stress right now.

Owen stayed by her side, seemingly controlling his anger with sheer will. Reika could see how upset he was … especially once Uldof came along and attempted to throw him out … but Owen maintained his good behavior even under threat. Uldof told them they could stay until Reika was stable and no longer. He agreed that the baby should not be born and that he would have no part in it. Holo poured her best efforts into Reika for the next few days, making her feel strong again.

Barely a week later, Reika entered her second trimester. Uldof kicked them out of the den immediately and told his sister to never return.

Reika left in tears, not just at the betrayal by her family, but because she was certain she couldn’t deliver her child without Holo’s help. She and Owen were in need, and they were cast out by the ones she had believed would protect her at all costs.

TWENTY-FIVE

OWEN

Even though he could sense Reika’s fear and distress, he was happy to be free of the Lovell den. He knew the situation was dire … they couldn’t go far without finding a good shifter healer. Still, getting away from Reika’s family was the best thing for them.

He was still shocked that they had told Reika to get rid of the baby. He couldn’t imagine anyone having so little compassion for their own child. He would expect any parent to support their children in any decision they made and not try to manipulate their own agenda into the situation. Owen swore that he would do better. He would be a father that his child could count on, someone that gave his love to the end, even if he didn’t agree with all their decisions.

All well and good, but what the fuck do we do now?

They were literally standing on a street corner with nowhere to go. Reika looked pale and delicate, not much stronger than she had been before they came. Even with her new medication and diet, she grew tired quickly. He had to get her somewhere comfortable, and he had to do it soon.

“Owen,” she said.

He looked down at her, smiling gently. “It’s okay, my love. Just let me think for a minute.”

Brave words for someone who has no fucking clue what to do next.

“Owen, we should go to your pack.”

Owen turned to look at her, eyes wide with shock. “You want to do what?”

“We should go to Raff pack,” she said, her hand tightening on his, her eyes beseeching him. “It’s our only chance.”

“I really don’t …”

“No, Owen, we have to try,” she said urgently. “Surely, a baby will be welcome with your people. It is your blood.”

Owen felt a hundred arguments run through him. His own father had wanted to kill Reika for contaminating him … no doubt he’d see a child of hers in the same light. He was an outcast, Connor was heir, and every wolf in the pack wanted their blood.

But as he looked into her eyes, Owen realized he couldn’t deny his mate. He also had nowhere else to go.

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